Travel and Outdoors

Road Trip: Visit Charlotte, NC to sip, savor + celebrate its booming culinary scene March 8-22, 2023

Presented by a GVLtoday Partner

Bartender perfecting a hand-crafted cocktail.

Charlotte’s top tastemakers are coming together for a can’t-miss culinary event. | Photo provided by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

From food trucks to fine dining + craft beer to craft cocktails — Charlotte’s food and beverage scene is a powerhouse, wowing guests with bold flavors that puts the Queen City on the map as a foodie destination.

Now, the city’s high-ranking culinary artists are extending an open invitation to Savor Charlotte, an exclusive two-week event happening in Charlotte, NC from March 8-22 and featuring hands-on classes, demonstrations from industry trendsetters, exclusive menus, and special offers from top restaurateurs. 👀

Here’s a preview of the restaurants, tastemakers, and mixologists coming together to make this culinary event something well worth traveling for. (Pro tip: Gather your fellow foodies and take your eating adventures on the road.)

Supperland

Supperland is frequently and favorably featured in the pages of the national press, even making Bon Appétit’s Top 10 Best New Restaurants of 2022, while head mixologist Collen Hughes was named Esquire’s Cocktail Guru of the Year.

The Cocktailery

This cocktail supply and beverage shop aims to “take the mystery out of mixology.” The Cocktailery offers classes and an assortment of barware + accessories to make the cocktail crafting process more approachable.

A couple sitting at a table with a spread of food from Pickled Peach. — This event is a chance to experience the best of Charlotte’s culinary scene.

Billy Sunday

An offshoot of a Chicago bar lauded by Food & Wine, Condé Naste + more, Billy Sunday has made its way to Optimist Hall in Charlotte. The stand-alone chalet features a vintage spirits program with sister concept, Spindle Bar, found upstairs as an illustrious endcap to the food hall’s diverse culinary offerings.

Counter-

From Chef Sam Hart comes Counter-, an immersive and fully sensory tasting experience with themed monthly menus paired to music — turning dining expectations on its heel. Hart has taken this same counter-intuitive approach to his newest concept, Biblio, where guests are given a 500-bottle wine list and, with the help of sommeliers and chefs, food that is paired to the wine-of-choice at this reverse-engineered wine bar. *

SEE DETAILS + RESERVE YOUR SPOT

This content was created in partnership with Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and written by Michaela Leung.*

Which restaurant are you most excited to try during Savor Charlotte?

A. Supperland
B. The Cocktailery
C. Billy Sunday
D. Counter-

LET US KNOW

Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, Feb. 17

Furman Theatre presents ‘Project Dawn’ by Karen Hartman | Friday, Feb. 17-Sunday, Feb. 19 | Times vary | The Playhouse at Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville | $5-$15 | Directed by guest artist Ahsha M. Daniels, this is the story of a real-life courtroom with a mission to rehabilitate women in the sex trade.
Swamp Rabbits vs Jacksonville Icemen | Friday, Feb. 17 | 7:05 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville | $18-$50 | It’s Stick It To Cancer Night — The Swamp Rabbits will wear special jerseys honoring all who have been touched by a cancer diagnosis.
Reedy Reels Film Festival | Friday, Feb. 17-Sunday, Feb. 19 | 5-10 p.m. | South Carolina Children’s Theatre, 153 Augusta St., Greenville | $0-$180 | See 59 films by independent filmmakers at this eighth annual film festival.

Saturday, Feb. 18

Litter Pick-Up | Saturday, Feb. 18 | 11:30 a.m. | Thomas Creek Brewery, 2054 Piedmont Hwy., Greenville | Free | Join Upstate Cruisers to clean up its adopted section of River Falls Road off Highway 11 towards Jones Gap State Park.
Mardi Gras Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 18 | 3-7 p.m. | Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery, 205 Cedar Lane Rd., Greenville | Free entry | Enjoy a special Mardi Gras menu served in the cafe, live music from The Greenville Jazz Collective, and crafts for kids.
Katt Williams: 2023 And Me Tour | Saturday, Feb. 18 | 8 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville | $59-$195 | Laugh with comedian and Emmy Award-winning actor Katt Williams on The Well stage.

Sunday, Feb. 19

Synergy Twins | Sunday, Feb. 19 | 2 p.m. | Tetrad Brewing Co., 603 E. Stone Ave., Greenville | Free entry | Sip on craft beer and jam to electric violin covers on the patio.
Say What Poetry Open Mic | Sunday, Feb. 19 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Coffee Underground, 1 E. Coffee St., Greenville | $10-$15 | Enjoy a night of poetry slams and features, games, and open mic slots for local poets, plus a celebration of the launch of Kendra “MyKNichelle’s” new poetry book, “Peace of Me.”
HUMONGOUS: The Biggest Comedy Event | Sunday, Feb. 19 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Centre Stage, 501 River St., Greenville | $15 | Alchemy Comedy Theatre’s biggest annual event of the year returns with dozens of performers, two acts, and all kinds comedy from a variety of players and teams.

Plan Ahead

A Revolutionary Evening | Friday, March 3 | 6 p.m. | Poinsett Club, 807 E. Washington St., Greenville | $150-$20 | Enjoy an exclusive exhibition from the manuscript collection, music from the 18th century, and more at this fundraiser for the South Carolina Historical Society.*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

700+ Upstate acres protected and counting

Upstate Forever protects 700+ acres across the Upstate

Protected land as far as the eye can see. | Photos via Upstate Forever

735. That’s how many acres of land conservation nonprofit Upstate Forever has recently protected in Greenville, Anderson, and Pickens Counties.

Protection of the acreage — which splits across six properties — was achieved through conservation easements, voluntary legal agreements with landowners, and Upstate Forever’s nationally accredited land trust.

Here’s a look at the properties in Greenville County:

Blackwell Farm, Tigerville | ~50 acres | This property’s meadows, hardwood and pine forests, diverse plant species and wildlife habitat, and Tyger River tributaries are protected from local development.

Five Oaks Farm, Southern Greenville County | 401 acres | The property, which covers ~one mile along the Saluda River, will be maintained for hunting and wildlife management while encouraging native grassland habitat.

Beaverdam Creek Preserve, Greer | 33 acres | A conservation easement prevents the development of this property along Beaverdam Creek and protects its wildlife habitat and 11 acres of wetlands.

Click below for the protected properties in Pickens and Anderson.

MORE UPSTATE CONSERVATION

Weather

65º | Rain | 100% chance of rain

Coming Soon

Mauldin’s BridgeWay Station has added three businesses to its growing list of tenants: El Guapo Mexican Restaurant, Le Chic Nails Lounge, and The Works at BridgeWay, a co-working space. With these three additions, BridgeWay Station says there is only one retail space left (~3,000 sqft) available for lease. 🏢

Eat

Gute nachrichten, GVL. German street food restaurant Das Döner is celebrating its soft opening this weekend. Today and tomorrow, stop by its location at Growler Haus in the Village of West Greenville from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (or until sold out) to feast on döner kebabs and sip on craft beer. 🥙

Biz

The Greenville Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for its Leadership 50 class. This 10-month program, which kicks off in September, is made up of community professionals who work together on a volunteer project. Applications are due Friday, April 14. Learn more about the program from its director, Tami Miller.
Greenville-based companies Michelin North America and Concentrix (a digital customer service business) made it onto Forbes’ list, “America’s Best Large Employers” — which ranks 500 companies based on recommendations from employees. 💼

Plan Ahead

Tickets are available for euphoria’s Sip Into Spring event on Thursday, March 16 at Restaurant 17 (10 Road of Vines, Travelers Rest). Enjoy small plates prepared by Chef Hadyn Shaak and live music by Daniel Lovelace. Pro tip: Stay the night at Hotel Domestique with an eat. sip. sleep. pass. 🌷
Calling all big kids who are young at heart. Roper Mountain Science Center (402 Roper Mountain Rd.) is hosting its inaugural Pi Day Party on Tuesday, March 14 from 6-8 p.m. for adults 21+. Get excited for hands-on STEM demonstrations, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and of course — pie. 🥧

State

The SC Manufacturers Alliance’s Manufacturing Madness: The Coolest Thing Made in SC competition is back. Nominate a product now through Thursday, Feb. 23. Last year’s finalists included Upstate-manufactured products like Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Fighting Falcon (Greenville) and Electrolux and Frigidaire’s Single Door Refrigerator and Freezer (Anderson). 🔩

Today Is

Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day. To be kind, we suggest gifting a special person in your life with a candle from Wixology or a card from Joy Paper Co. 🎁

Health

Good news, GVL. MUSC Health has made a pancreatic cancer breakthrough: New research traces the origin of a cell that plays a key role in pancreatic cancer to forming during embryonic development. Find out why this is important — and how it opens the door to better-targeted therapies.*

Travel

Planning a weekend road trip? Pro tip: Get bonus gas rewards when you buy participating items at Lowes Foods. Learn more.⛽ *

Sports

Super Bowl weekend may be over, but NBA All-Star Weekend kicks off today, Feb. 17. See the lineup of events — like this evening’s All-Star Celebrity Game and Sunday’s 72nd NBA All-Star Game — and get your hands on the limited edition All-Star merch before it sells out. 🏀 *

Home

So you can’t stop dreaming about fresh, new cabinets in your kitchen. If the question of financing is the only thing holding you back, we’ve got two words for you: home equity. Calculate your monthly payment.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Fireforge Crafted Beer tastes like victory 🍻

Fireforge Crafted Beer wins three-fold at at the World Beer Championships

Tastes like a winner — or three. | Photo via Fireforge Crafted Beer

What’s better than craft beer? Award-winning craft beer.

Fireforge Crafted Beer (311 E. Washington St.) was awarded three medals at the 2023 World Beer Championships, a global competition recognizing exceptional taste and quality.

Founded in 1994 by the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI), the World Beer Championships was the first international beer competition in the US.

Fireforge’s brews were among hundreds of submissions in 125 categories, all blind taste-tested by an expert panel and ranked on a 100-point scale.

The winners:

🥇 Game Time Decision | 4.3% ABV American Light Lager | 94 pts | Gold medal, Best American Style

🥈 Novemberfest | 5.7% ABV malty Märzen | 93 pts | Silver medal, Märzen-Octoberfest category

🥉 Day on the Lake | 5.5% ABV German-style Pilsner with Riverbend Cumberland Pilsner malt | 92 pts | Bronze medal, Pilsner category

In addition to medaling, each of the three beers’ 90+ point scores earned them the Gold “exceptional” distinction by BTI.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Kyle.

Editor’s pick: Here’s some more cheers-worthy news, GVL. Southernside Brewing Co. has five new cocktails: The Perfect Pear, Make It Spicy, Just Plane Awesome, Squeeze the Day, and Irish Summer. Looking at the descriptions for each, I’ll be sipping on the Make it Spicy first, with Makers Mark bourbon, housemade jalapeno syrup, lemon juice, and bitters. 🥃

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Take a look at what the future of the Augusta Road corridor could look like.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Kyle Steadings, Danielle Johnson, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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